How it works

Building on its expertise in surveillance and monitoring technologies, which has also been advanced through the support of national funding programs (KIRAS and FORTE), AIT is taking a leading role in two initiatives within European defense programs:

CBRN SaaS (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Surveillance as a Service): Part of the PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation) initiative within the European Defence Agency (EDA), this project focuses on integrating commercial and military off-the-shelf components to detect and identify CBRN threats using unmanned aerial and ground vehicles. It also includes the development of a 24/7 CBRN plug-in module, a roadmap for future modules, and an operating model compatible with national CBRN systems. Three other EDA member states – Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary – took part in this project launched in 2018 under Austrian leadership.

CBRN RSS (Reconnaissance and Surveillance System): This project, under the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP), builds on the CBRN SaaS system by adding intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) functionalities. It enhances the EU's capacity to conduct cooperative, transnational ISR missions for CBRN threat detection and management. With France, Croatia, Denmark, Slovenia and Hungary, five other member states took part in developing this project.

Both international initiatives rely on RAD-SALs technologies, integrating sophisticated software and sensor packages to enable a real-time situational awareness system. Unmanned aerial and ground vehicles, equipped with high-precision sensors, scanners and gamma probes, play a crucial role in detecting and identifying CBRN threats. By leveraging real-time 2D and 3D visualization, the system provides a detailed and continuously updated picture of contaminated areas, allowing for swift and informed decision-making. Advanced artificial intelligence further enhances detection capabilities, enabling the identification of hazardous materials, underground structures, and potentially yet unknown threats. The ongoing development of additional features, including contamination mapping, sample analysis, and robot navigation, ensures the technology remains at the forefront of CBRN surveillance.

The Big Picture

The CBRN surveillance projects aim to maximize safety for military and civilian personnel operating in contaminated areas while protecting the broader population. They contribute to Europe's strategic autonomy by strengthening defence capabilities through multinational collaboration. The main beneficiaries include:

• Armed forces (e.g., NBC protection units)
• Civil protection agencies ensuring emergency response readiness
• Government authorities responsible for security policy
• Research and development organizations (RTOs) and universities
• Defence and security industries, including SMEs

Beyond their immediate technical impact, these projects contribute significantly to Europe's strategic defence landscape. By fostering stronger cooperation among member states, they support the joint development of advanced CBRN technologies, reinforcing Europe’s collective security infrastructure. The initiatives also boost the competitiveness of the European defence industry, strengthening its position in both domestic and global markets. Improved cross-border collaboration between stakeholders – including armed forces, research institutions and industry partners – ensures a more integrated and efficient approach to CBRN threat management. Additionally, these efforts maximise the use of shared research and development resources, accelerating innovation and facilitating the transition from concept to operational capability. Ultimately, the projects contribute to establishing a unified European CBRN situational awareness framework, harnessing the power of AI and 3D visualization to provide comprehensive, real-time intelligence for both civilian and military applications.